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Tests Overview

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) requires driver’s licence applicants to take three main types of tests: vision, knowledge, and road/practical tests.

Driver Examination Types

All driver-related tests take place at DriveTest Centres across the province. Appointments are usually required for road tests.

All tests are available in English or French. Test results are available immediately. Applicants can take the knowledge and road tests as many times as they need to pass.

Vision Tests

Vision tests evaluate your visual acuity (VA) and horizontal visual field (peripheral vision). These tests take only a few minutes and involve looking into a piece of equipment at a DriveTest Centre.

Knowledge Tests

Knowledge tests are written tests that determine whether you have a good understanding of the rules of the road and traffic signs. They consist of multiple-choice questions based on the official driver’s handbooks. This type of test is proctored at a DriveTest Centre to prevent misconduct among test takers. Anyone discovered cheating or disrupting other test takers will be asked to leave the test room, receive an unsuccessful mark, lose their test fee, and will have to wait until the following day to rewrite the test.

Applicant writing a knowledge test

Road Tests

Road tests (for cars/vans/small trucksmotorcycles, and commercial vehicles) assess your driving skills according to MTO criteria. A road test involves driving your own vehicle with a driver examiner as an observer. While observing, driver examiners use a set of predefined test routes, driver tasks, and forms/scoresheets to fairly evaluate your ability to apply the rules of the road, manage a vehicle, and demonstrate safe driving practices.

At DriveTest, we strive to provide an environment that enables you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to the best of your ability. We provide training and conduct audits to ensure DriveTest team members administer each test in a fair and equitable manner, meet MTO standards, and apply consistent marking standards throughout the province.

If you have any concerns regarding the outcome of a test, your first step is to ask a driver examiner or customer service agent for clarification. If you require further assistance, ask to speak to a local supervisor. To facilitate a prompt response, inquire at the center at which the test was conducted. If you wish to express your concerns in writing, please see our Contact Us page.

Applicant and driver examiner on a road test
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